In the presence of oxygen, glycolysis is followed directly by which process that converts pyruvate into acetyl-CoA for entry into the citric acid cycle?

• A. Conversion of pyruvate to lactate by lactate dehydrogenase (lactic acid fermentation)
• B. Conversion of pyruvate to ethanol and $C_0{H}_2$ by alcoholic fermentation
• C. Carboxylation of pyruvate to oxaloacetate by pyruvate carboxylase as the primary fate of pyruvate under aerobic conditions
• D. Pyruvate oxidation by the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA)

Answer: (D)